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The act of taking in breath. Inhalation results from the negative pressure in the lungs caused by contraction of the diaphragm, which causes it to move downwards and to expand the chest cavity. The resulting flow of air into the lungs restores a pressure equal to that of the atmosphere.
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Also called inspiration
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Compare exhalation
Etymology
Origin of inhalation
Compare meaning
How does inhalation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In addition to the injured security guard, 30 law enforcement officers were being treated for smoke inhalation, according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026
The research team is continuing its work to better understand how flu spreads through inhalation and under what conditions that transmission is most likely.
From Science Daily • Jan. 11, 2026
He said the good news is that while the primary route of exposure for people of this material is inhalation, the fog droplets are relatively big.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2025
Compared with other sources, wildfire smoke contains a higher proportion of ultrafine particles miniscule enough to penetrate the brain after inhalation, Casey told The Times earlier this year.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025
Anya shut her eyes against the heat, coughing with every inhalation.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
